This last Wednesday, April 20, Jesuit lost arguably one of its most influential people in Gary Pasqua ’55. Coach Pasqua was a coach and athletic director for a number of years, and Jesuit’s very own football field bears his name.
Pasqua was known for the incredible contributions he brought to Jesuit not only as a football coach, but also as an athletic director as well. Among Coach Pasqua’s many accomplishments at Jesuit are his induction into the Texas High School Football Coaching Hall of Fame, the Jesuit Sports Hall of Fame, and the prestigious Jesuit Distinguished Alumnus Award.
On Monday, April 25, hundreds of people attended St. Rita to remember Coach Pasqua where they were greeted by several members of the current football team on the way in. Around 15 to 20 fellow Jesuit grads and Sports Hall of Fame inductees were in attendance as well, praising him for all their time spent playing under him.
After celebrating communion, his nephew and his daughter shared words of remembrance, speaking of his natural ability to make those around them feel good. They spoke of how he dedicated his life to Jesuit and had a massive impact on everyone he encountered, evident in the large turnout of Jesuit grads.
Coach Bob Wunderlick, who played and coached under Pasqua, remembers him as “one of the few names that bumps into our heads when we think of Jesuit” adding that for him personally, Pasqua “was more than just a coach, he was a friend, a mentor, at times a father figure, and just overall a class act.” Wunderlick added, “What most people don’t know is that he was one of the funniest guys around; there was never a dull moment.”
Coach Charlie DeLong, like Wunderlick, shared fond memories of Pasqua, first and foremost remembering him as “a really good man.” DeLong added that Pasqua “did a really good job running the department and was always a people person.” DeLong remembered that Pasqua was “easy to work for, but you knew what he wanted.”
There is no doubt that Coach Pasqua will have a legacy ranging beyond our lifetime. He brought many great things to Jesuit that continue to be instilled in the students today.
See The Roundup’s coverage last year of Pasqua’s induction to the Sports Hall of Fame.
